Air Canada announced that talks between the company and its pilots union broke off, opening up the possibility of a job action at the carrier as early as next month. Air Canada's management walked away from the talks, despite requests from the Air Canada Pilots Association and the federally-appointed conciliator to continue bargaining. The negotiations will now enter a 21-day "cooling-off" period before either side can take any action to escalate the situation. But it does open the possibility of a strike at the airline in mid-to-late February. ACPA would still have to hold a strike vote, and serve 72 hours' notice before any job action. Company said that it's willing to keep talking and "remains at the negotiating table awaiting a response" from the union to a "comprehensive" proposal it made Jan. 16. The company and the union, which represents about 3,000 members, began negotiations in October 2010. After rejecting a tentative agreement in May, the pilots are working under the terms of their last accord, which expired at the end of March. That contract froze pay at 2008 rates. Air Canada disputes the union's version of events, saying the mediation period "provides ample time" to agree on a deal.